A described example includes a ribbon cartridge having a first spool housing to receive a first spool. The ribbon cartridge further having a second spool housing to receive a second spool. The ribbon cartridge further having at least one frame member extending between the first spool housing and the second spool housing and a spool lock, wherein the spool lock is configured to engage at least one of the first spool or the second spool in response to the ribbon cartridge not being received within a ribbon positioning assembly.

A described example includes a ribbon cartridge having a first spool housing to receive a first spool. The ribbon cartridge further having a second spool housing to receive a second spool. The ribbon cartridge further having at least one frame member extending between the first spool housing and the second spool housing and a spool lock, wherein the spool lock is configured to engage at least one of the first spool or the second spool in response to the ribbon cartridge not being received within a ribbon positioning assembly.

A described example includes a ribbon cartridge having a first spool housing to receive a first spool. The ribbon cartridge further having a second spool housing to receive a second spool. The ribbon cartridge further having at least one frame member extending between the first spool housing and the second spool housing and a spool lock, wherein the spool lock is configured to engage at least one of the first spool or the second spool in response to the ribbon cartridge not being received within a ribbon positioning assembly.

A described example includes a ribbon cartridge having a first spool housing to receive a first spool. The ribbon cartridge further having a second spool housing to receive a second spool. The ribbon cartridge further having at least one frame member extending between the first spool housing and the second spool housing and a spool lock, wherein the spool lock is configured to engage at least one of the first spool or the second spool in response to the ribbon cartridge not being received within a ribbon positioning assembly.

A described example includes a ribbon cartridge having a first spool housing configured to receive a first spool. The ribbon cartridge having a second spool housing that is configured to receive a second spool. The ribbon cartridge having a first frame member that extends between the first spool housing and the second spool housing. The ribbon cartridge having a first locking feature defining a locked position and an unlocked position, the first locking feature adapted to lock the ribbon cartridge within a ribbon positioning assembly.

A described example includes a ribbon cartridge having a first spool housing configured to receive a first spool. The ribbon cartridge having a second spool housing that is configured to receive a second spool. The ribbon cartridge having a first frame member that extends between the first spool housing and the second spool housing. The ribbon cartridge having a first locking feature defining a locked position and an unlocked position, the first locking feature adapted to lock the ribbon cartridge within a ribbon positioning assembly.

In accordance with an embodiment, a ribbon holding shaft winds an ink ribbon before printing. A ribbon winding shaft winds the ink ribbon after printing to collect the ink ribbon. A feed motor rotationally drives the ribbon holding shaft. A winding motor rotationally drives the ribbon winding shaft. A detection module detects slackness of the ink ribbon stretched between the ribbon holding shaft and the ribbon winding shaft. A ribbon feed control module forward rotates the winding motor to draw out the ink ribbon from the ribbon holding shaft to the printing section and further controls the ribbon winding shaft to wind the ink ribbon. A reverse rotation control module reversely rotates the feed motor to stretch the ink ribbon between the ribbon holding shaft and the ribbon winding shaft if the detection module detects the slackness of the ink ribbon.

A thermal-transfer printer, having a case, an ink ribbon supporting member, a movable member, a head holder, and an arm, is provided. When the movable member is at a first position, a first engageable portion in the head holder and a second engageable portion in the arm are separated. When the movable member is in transition from a first position to a second position, the first engageable portion and the second engageable portion contact each other, and the arm moves in conjunction with the movable member from a third position to a fourth position. A minimum distance between the first engageable portion and the movable member when the arm is at the fourth position is shorter than a minimum distance between those when the first engageable portion and the second engageable portion contact each other while the movable member is in transition from the first position to the second position.

A thermal-transfer printer, having a case, an ink ribbon supporting member, a movable member, a head holder, and an arm, is provided. When the movable member is at a first position, a first engageable portion in the head holder and a second engageable portion in the arm are separated. When the movable member is in transition from a first position to a second position, the first engageable portion and the second engageable portion contact each other, and the arm moves in conjunction with the movable member from a third position to a fourth position. A minimum distance between the first engageable portion and the movable member when the arm is at the fourth position is shorter than a minimum distance between those when the first engageable portion and the second engageable portion contact each other while the movable member is in transition from the first position to the second position.

A described example includes a ribbon cartridge having a first spool housing to receive a first spool. The ribbon cartridge further having a second spool housing to receive a second spool. The ribbon cartridge further having at least one frame member extending between the first spool housing and the second spool housing and a spool lock, wherein the spool lock is configured to engage at least one of the first spool or the second spool in response to the ribbon cartridge not being received within a ribbon positioning assembly.